Be Careful — That Homeless Man May Really Be a Cop Out to Catch Distracted Drivers

As in many areas of the US, driving while using a cell phone is illegal in Ontario, Canada. But since many people obey the law only when they see a police officer, undercover cops have found a novel way to catch violators: they’re going incognito as vagrants.

Canadian constables have begun standing on street corners, holding the type of handwritten signs that normally ask for money. But if you look closely at the one pictured above, it says:

HELLO, MY NAME IS CONSTABLE MARTELL. IF YOU’RE ON YOUR CELL PHONE RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET A TICKET.

If Constable Martell spots an offender, he radios nearby colleagues — who then pull the driver over and issue the aforementioned citation.